Los Angeles, February 24 (HS): Former tennis player Venus Williams will not participate in the Indian Wells tournament to be held next month. However, she was given a wild card for the WTA 1000 competition.

The 44-year-old American star, who played only two tournaments last season, said during an event in Denmark that she was not aware of getting a wild card before the official announcement of the tournament. She also clarified that she would not be able to participate in this prestigious tournament due to prior commitments.

Williams said at an event held in the Danish city of Nestved, I found this announcement very amusing. People seemed happy, so I thought, 'Maybe I should go with it, I don't know'.

Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas later issued an official statement confirming Venus Williams' withdrawal. He said, Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year. We wish her all the best and look forward to her return to Indian Wells in the future.

Venus Williams said, I love Indian Wells. I would like to go there and if I could accept it, I would definitely say so but I have already made other commitments.

It is worth noting that the Williams sisters have an old controversy associated with the Indian Wells tournament. Venus boycotted this tournament for 15 years after 2001. At that time, her younger sister Serena Williams played the final match against Kim Clijsters, but due to Venus's withdrawal from the semi-finals, the audience mocked and hooted Serena during the match. Due to this controversy, both the sisters did not participate in this tournament for a long time.

Now despite Venus' absence, the Indian Wells tournament is ready for its exciting matches in Southern California from March 2 to 16.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar